Jodi Ann Donato

Gross negligence and mismanagement. I am writing this review to warn others before they make the same $5,000 mistake I did. I retained Jodi Ann Donato for my case, and my experience was a complete nightmare of negligence, incompetence, and improper billing. I paid a $5,000 retainer that was suppose...d to cover three court conferences. The firm only "represented" me for ONE, and Ms. Donato didn't even show up. She sent a substitute lawyer who knew absolutely nothing about my case, and I had to pay for this substitute out-of-pocket on top of my retainer. Then, Donato Law actually billed me for the two-hour call they supposedly had to "prepare" this lawyer who showed up completely unprepared. The lack of basic diligence was shocking. They didn't know my case location. Ms. Donato assumed my case was in Suffolk County and didn't realize it was in Dutchess until I pointed it out. This was clearly written on the Order of Protection. I was then billed for the firm's errors to fix this. They didn't read court documents. Ms. Donato later admitted she "only read down to a certain line" on the Order of Protection and completely missed that child support had been granted. Contradictory and negligent advice. My emails asking for specific legal advice were ignored. I was then yelled at by Ms. Donato for doing something she claimed was on the order... the same order she repeatedly failed to read. My retainer was drained to pay for their mistakes. I was left completely unrepresented and abandoned after my money was gone. I feel completely taken advantage of and misled. This firm did not protect my interests; they only protected their bottom line. Also after posting this review to Google Jodi Ann Donato contacted me via email asking me to take the review down in exchange for $500 and then she would require me to sign an NDA. This is highly unethical behavior for a lawyer.

Both my wife and I have used Jodi several times over the last ~11 years for issues with our ex spouses, review of closing documents, wills and for health care paperwork. We have always been very satisfied with her knowledge and humanity. She is a pleasure to deal with and explains everything clearly....

I've used Jodi for my closing, estate planning, legal agreements. She's extremely professional and forthcoming with all your questions. She's prompt and handles everything in a timely fashion. A true pleasure to deal with. I've recommended her to family members and they found her to be exactly the sa...me way.

I hired Jodi to review some Commercial Real Estate Lease agreements when we moved into our new building. She responded on short notice even though she was very busy in court. She was fair with her fees and explained anything that I did not understand. I would use her again if a need arises again in t...he future.